Minnesota Wild beat reporter Mike Russo wrote that the Oilers are actively pursuing Cal Clutterbuck and the trade could involve Tyler Pitlick.

One team hot after him is Edmonton; the Wild has talked to the Oilers about a deal that would include Minnesotan Tyler Pitlick.

Russo had the above line in his piece on the Wild's salary cap situation and where Clutterbuck fits. Clutterbuck is an RFA, and he just finished a three-year deal with a $1.4 million cap hit. He made $1.7 million in actual dollars last year, so you'd think he'd be looking at a deal north of $2 million.

Clutterbuck is coming off his worst season in four years. He scored only 4 goals and 10 points in 42 games last season, but the previous three years he was decent offensively.

The Oilers wouldn't add Clutterbuck just for his offence. He's been a 3rd pairing forward on the PK the past four seasons in Minnesota, and he plays with an edge. He's one of the most physical forwards in the NHL, having led the NHL in hits in 2010 (318), 2011 (336) and he was 3rd in hits in 2012 with 288.

Some will argue that because the Chicago Blackhawks rarely hit you don't need physical players to win, but the Oilers don't possess a blueline like the Hawks, nor are their forwards in the same category as Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp.

The Oilers haven't had a physical player, who could produce and play significant minutes since Ehan Moreau scored 20 goals in 2004. Ryan Jones was pretty good in 2011, but he's not an overly physical player.

JF Jacques led the Oiler forwards in hits in 2010 with 158.
Ryan Jones had 152 in 2011, and he scored 18 goals.
Lennart Petrell had 122 in 2012 and Mike Brown led them with 65 this past season.

Outside of Jones, none of the others played significant minutes or made much of an impact offensively, and they were usually a liability defensively.

Clutterbuck's corsi numbers aren't stellar, but in 2012 the Wild had the worst corsi rating of any team in the league. The entire team sucked, but Clutterbuck has shown improvement over the years. If you want to see his Corsi, Fenwick and other stats read here.

Clutterbuck is exactly what the Oilers need. A fiesty third line player, who can inject some energy, annoys the opposition, skates well, can help out on the PK, plays on the edge and has some decent offensive potential.

If the Oilers have to part with Pitlick and something else to obtain Clutterbuck, I'd do it yesterday.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

Is Clutterbuck better than Pitluck ? Does Clutterbuck fill a role at NHL level where Pitluck currently after 3 years does not ? If yes , then do it . Is there any role Pitluck will do better than Clutterbuck - we are talking about now , not some hype down the road . Is Pitluck more readily replaced than Clutterbuck , or are they both readily replaceable ? Even on our AHL club he is replaceable and lags behind others like Arcobello .

wasn't it nice to hear a hockey mind that wasn't programmed what to say? Mac T's phone is probably going to be be plugged in unlike tambo's who is asking Stu if he can breathe. Going to be a interesting weekend hopefully.

Kelly Hrudey stated he should get up over 4 mil today on "cough cough" Dan Tensers show. (I listened for 5 minutes today, wanted a road report, honestly) I wasn't sure if he thought he should get 4 million or would get. Both are assinine.

Gary Bettman here for 20 years now, and no Canadian based team has won a Cup yet, Coincidence. Also, Most NHL Players come from Canada, we provide junior league for them to develop, and when star become free agents, at least the better ones, they head for the States and help Their teams win all the Stanley Cups. And guess what, Canadian based teams sell out and have to put money into Bettmans Profit sharing scheme, keeping loser franchises like Phoenix, both Florida teams and a cople of others afloat. Why are we Canadians allowing this scam.

Here let me correct your garbage.

"Gary Bettman has been here for 20 years now, and no Canadian based team has won a Stanley Cup yet. Coincidence? I THINK NOT. Also, most NHL players come from Canada, we provide the junior leagues for them to develop and when the stars become free agents (at least the better ones), they head for the USA and help their teams win copious amounts of Stanley Cups. Also, Canadian based teams sell out and have to put money into Bettman's Profit Sharing scheme, keeping loser franchises like Phoenix, both Florida teams and a couple of others up and running. Why are *WE*, as Canadians, allowing this scam?"

Assuming a Horcoff buyout and assuming the trade wouldn't involve any roster pieces. Edmonton could eat Heatley's contract and potentially also grab Clutterbuck or some other bottom six piece. The Oilers would be stuck with Heatley's contract but they do have a little bit a of cap room to work with and if things don't work out he's a UFA after next season anyways.

Basically we would become Minnesota's salary dump and get two guys for our bottom six who could both fill in on the second line if needed at the cost of a prospect who has been just ok and maybe a late round pick that we would probably waste anyways.

You have got to be f---ing kidding me if you think Clutterbuck and Petrell are at all the same player.

I didn't say Petrell and Clutterbuck were the same player.

I am just saying that the difference between the two last year was not that pronounced.

I look at Petrell as a below replacement 4th line player. If Clutterbuck can't clearly beat him on some basic stats, then I have trouble getting excited about Clutterbuck. Petrell was also an excellent Pk'er. Clutterbuck isn't.

Clutterbuck has had better years. Maybe he will again. But if this is his new normal due to injury, alcohol, concussion, laziness or whatever, he looks the part of a 4th liner.

Is he worth Pitlick? Probably. Is he worth Pitlick and a 2nd rounder? No.

Judging by MacTs presser yesterday, we are keeping the 7th. He also made it clear he was actively looking at trading both 2nd round picks for immediate support of the core. Emphasis to get bigger, and if it costs us some current roster players(Gagner is the only small player I could see being dealt) he would be more than willing to trade them. He will only add size if the players are 25, 26, and 27 - not older vets via trade.

He has also talked to every GM and is working the phone lines.

If he flew all over the country to sign Belov I'm sure he will make a small splash at free agency, and make some solid moves at the draft.

I am just saying that the difference between the two last year was not that pronounced.

I look at Petrell as a below replacement 4th line player. If Clutterbuck can't clearly beat him on some basic stats, then I have trouble getting excited about Clutterbuck. Petrell was also an excellent Pk'er. Clutterbuck isn't.

Clutterbuck has had better years. Maybe he will again. But if this is his new normal due to injury, alcohol, concussion, laziness or whatever, he looks the part of a 4th liner.

Is he worth Pitlick? Probably. Is he worth Pitlick and a 2nd rounder? No.

Do you even watch hockey? Stat lines hardly tell the story.

To quote Gregor "Clutterbuck is exactly what the Oilers need. A fiesty third line player, who can inject some energy, annoys the opposition, skates well, can help out on the PK, plays on the edge and has some decent offensive potential."

The only thing Petrell mirrors out of that entire list is that he can PK ok, he isn't a top pairing PK'er by any stretch either.

Clutterbuck definately annoys the opposition and he does it with honor by hitting a lot, playing hard and backing it up. Unlike a Lapierre who cheap shots, never shuts up and never backs it up. Petrell only annoys his own organization from being a non-factor night in and night out.

Pitlick is all but a bust at this point. 2nd rounders have about a 15% chance of ever playing a game in the NHL let alone being a regular. Sure, you could hit a home run with a 2nd rounder, but it is very rare. That is hardly an overpay.